Rifle stock

ABSTRACT

A rifle stock has an elongated frame element having a forward end configured to connect to a rifle, the elongated frame element having an elongated first attachment facility extending along the length of the elongated frame element and defining a first plurality of attachment locations, the elongated frame element having an elongated second attachment facility extending along the length of the elongated frame element and defining a second plurality of different attachment locations, a cheek riser connected to the first attachment facility, and a butt assembly connected to the second attachment facility. At least one of the first and second attachment facilities may be a rail having an unlimited number of attachment positions. At least one of the first and second attachment facilities may be a rail having a limited number of discrete attachment positions. The rail may define a plurality of stop surfaces.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Number 63/067,242 filed on Aug. 18, 2020, entitled “AMBIDEXTROUS ADJUSTABLE BUTTSTOCK AND CHEEK REST,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all that is taught and disclosed therein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to firearms, and more particularly to a rifle stock that enables the rifle's length of pull and cheek rest position to be adjusted independently.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Rifle stocks provide many advantages to the user when they are installed on a rifle. Rifle stocks enable the shooter to brace the firearm with their shoulder, which provides a stable firing platform to increase accuracy and absorb recoil forces. The length of the stock establishes the rifle's length of pull, which is the distance from the rear end of the stock to the shooter's trigger finger when resting on the rifle's trigger. Many rifles are manufactured with stocks having a standard length of pull of 13.5 inch, which is believed to fit most shooters. However, this length of pull is not suitable for all shooters. An improper length of pull can prevent the shooter from assuming proper body position when shooting, potentially harming the rifle's accuracy. A rifle with a length of pull that is too long or too short can result in the shooter creating undesirable lateral movement of the rifle when pulling the trigger. The shooter may have to assume an uncomfortable body position to compensate, which increases fatigue.

Although prior art rifle stocks with adjustable length of pull exist, they have significant limitations. These can include only allowing a fixed relationship between the cheek rest and butt pad, only allowing a fixed relationship between the cheek rest and the action, or only allowing adjustments to the rifle stock with the use of tools. These existing rifle stock designs force the end user to adapt to the rifle they are shooting instead of adapting the rifle to their shooting preferences. These existing rifle stocks can also have a very limited length of pull adjustment range that is insufficient to meet the end user's needs.

Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved rifle stock that enables the rifle's length of pull and cheek rest position to be adjusted independently. In this regard, the various embodiments of the present invention substantially fulfill at least some of these needs. In this respect, the rifle stock according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of enabling the rifle's length of pull and cheek rest position to be adjusted independently.

The present invention provides an improved rifle stock, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an improved rifle stock that has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned above.

To attain this, the preferred embodiment of the present invention essentially comprises an elongated frame element having a forward end configured to connect to a rifle, the elongated frame element having an elongated first attachment facility extending along the length of the frame element and defining a first plurality of attachment locations, the elongated frame element having an elongated second attachment facility extending along the length of the frame element and defining a second plurality of different attachment locations, a cheek riser connected to the first attachment facility, and a butt assembly connected to the second attachment facility. At least one of the first and second attachment facilities may be a rail having an unlimited number of attachment positions. At least one of the first and second attachment facilities may be a rail having a limited number of discrete attachment positions. The rail may define a plurality of stop surfaces configured to prevent axial movement of a connected element. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a right side view of the current embodiment of a rifle stock constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention in use attached to a rifle.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the rifle stock of FIG. 1 detached from the rifle.

FIG. 3 is a right side enlarged view of the rifle stock of FIG. 1 detached from the rifle.

FIG. 4 is a right side sectional view of the rifle stock of FIG. 1 detached from the rifle.

FIG. 5 is a front sectional view of the rifle stock of FIG. 1 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the rifle stock of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate the improved rifle stock 10 of the present invention. More particularly, FIG. 1 shows the rifle stock in use attached to a rifle 12. The rifle includes a barreled receiver 14 defining a barrel axis 16. The rifle stock has an elongated frame element 18 having a forward end 20 configured to connect to the barreled receiver of the rifle. In the current embodiment, the forward end has a threaded portion 22 that is compatible with the castle nut 94 of an AR-style rifle, such as the rifle illustrated. The elongated frame element defines a frame axis 24 parallel to the barrel axis. The frame element has an elongated first attachment facility 26 extending along the length of the frame element and defining a first plurality of attachment locations 28. The elongated frame element has an elongated second attachment facility 30 extending along the length of the elongated frame element and defining a second plurality of different attachment locations 32. A cheek riser 34 is connected to the first attachment facility. A butt assembly 36 is connected to the second attachment facility.

At least one of the first and second attachment facilities 26, 30 is a rail 38 having an unlimited number of attachment positions. At least one of the first and second attachment facilities is a rail 40 having a limited number of discrete attachment positions. Preferably, the other of the first and second attachment facilities is a rail 38 having an unlimited number of attachment positions. The rail 40 defines a plurality of stop surfaces 42 configured to prevent axial movement of a connected element 44, which is an upper portion of the butt assembly 36. Resistance to axial movement is critical because the connected element must convey recoil forces resulting from discharge of the rifle 12 into the butt assembly 36 and ultimately into the user's shoulder (not shown) via a vertical butt pad 64. The rail 40 is a picatinny rail in the current embodiment. The first and second attachment facilities are parallel to each other and extend along a major portion of the length of the frame element in the current embodiment.

The cheek riser 34 has a riser block 46 connected to the elongated frame element and a cheek support element 48 vertically movable with respect to the riser block. The elongated frame element 18 defines an upwardly open elongated channel 50, and the cheek riser includes vertical support bars 52 at least in part received in the channel. The height of the cheek riser is maintained at a user-selected position by the engagement of a set screw 54 with each of the vertical support bars. The axial position of the cheek riser is maintained at a user-selected position by the engagement of left and right clamps 56, 58 that are clamped against the rail 38 by bolt 60. The bolt includes an enhanced grip portion 62 to facilitate ease of adjustment of the axial position of the cheek riser without requiring tools. The cheek riser receives minimal recoil force, so greater ease of adjustment of axial position with potentially somewhat reduced resistance to axial movement relative to the connected element 44 is suitable.

The butt assembly 36 includes the vertical butt pad 64, which is located rearward of the elongated frame element 18. A portion of the vertical butt pad is registered with the frame axis 24. The vertical butt pad can allow both height and rotational adjustment relative to the butt assembly. In the current embodiment, the connected element 44 of the butt assembly is a picatinny rail. The connected element is secured to the rail 40 by the engagement of left and right clamps 66, 68 that are clamped against the rail 40 by bolts 70. The butt assembly optionally includes left and right side panels 72, 74, which are secured to the butt assembly by screws 76 to cover aperture 78 defined by the butt assembly. The side panels can be weights, covers to create a storage area within the aperture, or decorative features to customize the appearance of the rifle stock 10. The butt assembly also optionally includes a foot plate 80, which is secured to the bottom 82 of the butt assembly by three screws 84. The foot plate can be a weight or a decorative feature to customize the appearance of the rifle stock.

The elongated frame element 18 includes locational indica 86 along the length of the elongated frame element. Preferably, the locational indicia are associated with rail 40 and denote a length of pull of the rifle 12 that is associated with the location of connection of the connected element 44 of the butt assembly 36 to the rail 40. The elongated frame element has a cross-section that is wider at the top 88 and bottom 90 than at an intermediate position 92.

In the context of the specification, the terms “rear” and “rearward,” and “front” and “forward,” have the following definitions: “rear” or “rearward” means in the direction away from the muzzle of the firearm while “front” or “forward” means it is in the direction towards the muzzle of the firearm.

While a current embodiment of a rifle stock has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Although rifles have been disclosed, the rifle stock is also suitable for use with shotguns, light and medium machine guns, and other firearms. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A stock for a rifle comprising; an elongated frame element having a forward end configured to connect to a rifle; the frame element having an elongated first attachment facility extending along the length of the elongated frame element and defining a first plurality of attachment locations; the elongated frame element having an elongated second attachment facility extending along the length of the elongated frame element and defining a second plurality of different attachment locations; a cheek riser connected to the first attachment facility; and a butt assembly connected to the second attachment facility.
 2. The stock for a rifle of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second attachment facilities is a rail having an unlimited number of attachment positions.
 3. The stock for a rifle of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second attachment facilities is a rail having a limited number of discrete attachment positions.
 4. The stock for a rifle of claim 3 wherein the rail defines a plurality of stop surfaces configured to prevent axial movement of a connected element.
 5. The stock for a rifle of claim 4 wherein the rail is a picatinny rail.
 6. The stock for a rifle of claim 3 wherein the other of the first and second attachment facilities is a rail having an unlimited number of attachment positions.
 7. The stock for a rifle of claim 1 wherein the first and second attachment facilities are parallel to each other.
 8. The stock for a rifle of claim 1 wherein the first and second attachment facilities extend along a major portion of the length of the frame element.
 9. The stock for a rifle of claim 1 wherein the cheek riser has a riser block connected to the elongated frame element and a cheek support element vertically movable with respect to the riser block.
 10. The stock for a rifle of claim 1 wherein the elongated frame element defines an upwardly open elongated channel, and the cheek riser includes vertical support bars at least in part received in the channel.
 11. The stock for a rifle of claim 1 wherein the butt assembly includes a vertical butt pad rearward of the elongated frame element.
 12. The stock for a rifle of claim 11 wherein the elongated frame element defines a frame axis, and a portion of the vertical butt pad is registered with the frame axis.
 13. The stock for a rifle of claim 1 wherein the elongated frame element includes locational indicia along the length of the elongated frame element.
 14. The stock for a rifle of claim 1 wherein the elongated frame element has a cross-section that is wider at the top and bottom than at an intermediate position.
 15. A stock for a rifle comprising; a barreled receiver defining a barrel axis; an elongated frame element having a forward end connected to the barreled receiver; the elongated frame element having an elongated first attachment facility extending along the length of the elongated frame element and defining a first plurality of attachment locations; the elongated frame element having an elongated second attachment facility extending along the length of the elongated frame element and defining a second plurality of different attachment locations; a cheek riser connected to the first attachment facility; and a butt assembly connected to the second attachment facility.
 16. The stock for a rifle of claim 15 wherein the elongated frame element defines a frame axis parallel to the barrel axis.
 17. The stock for a rifle of claim 15 wherein the first and second attachment facilities are parallel to each other.
 18. The stock for a rifle of claim 15 wherein the first and second attachment facilities extend along a major portion of the length of the elongated frame element.
 19. The stock for a rifle of claim 15 wherein the butt assembly includes a vertical butt pad rearward of the elongated frame element.
 20. The stock for a rifle of claim 15 wherein the elongated frame element has cross-section that is wider at the top and bottom than at an intermediate position. 